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News And Press Releases

12-23-08 -- NEWARK -- A Federal Aviation Administration contractor, who also is a former employee of the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic County, was sentenced today to 48 months in federal prison for paying bribes to another former FAA employee. AUSAs David A. Bocian and Hope Olds, 609-989-2399 and 973-645-2764.

12-22-08 -- NEWARK -- The former president of a Pennsylvania company that supplied athletic equipment and reconditioning services to scores of schools in New Jersey pleaded guilty today to participating in fraudulent business practices including, among other things, overcharging the schools for services. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.

12-19-08 -- NEWARK -- A former member of the Union City Board of Adjustment was sentenced today to five months in prison followed by five months in a halfway house for accepting more than $20,000 in corrupt cash payments from a contractor in exchange for the promise of official favors. AUSA Brian R. Howe, 973-645-2853.

12-18-08 -- NEWARK -- A Brooklyn man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to import into Newark Liberty International Airport approximately three kilograms of cocaine concealed in luggage and carried internally by a female co-conspirator. AUSAs Sandra L. Moser and Robert Kirsch, 973-645-2729 and 2846.

12-17-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Camden cocaine dealer was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison today for his role in a conspiracy that distributed in excess of 50 kilograms of cocaine in Camden. AUSAs Howard Wiener and Diana Carrig, 856-968-4926 and 856-968-4927.

12-15-08 -- NEWARK -- A Canadian man was arrested in London today on charges of conspiring to travel in foreign commerce with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with children; aiding and abetting sex tourism; and conspiracy to produce, production, and distribution of child pornography. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PIO, 856-757-5233.

12-15-08 -- NEWARK -- Former state Assemblyman Alfred E. Steele was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison today for accepting a total of $15,500 in bribes from an undercover insurance brokerage company in return for his official assistance in steering public contracts to the company. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PIO, 856-757-5233.

12-10-08 -- NEWARK -- A federal jury today convicted three men for conspiring to commit a series of violent bank robberies in central New Jersey in February and March 2007. Two of the three were convicted for the April 2007 attempted armed bank robbery in Readington during which FBI Special Agent Barry Lee Bush was shot and killed. The third was not charged with that bank robbery. The jury also convicted the three for roles in four other armed bank robberies. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.

12-10-08 -- NEWARK -- The former director of housing rehabilitation for the City of New Brunswick was sentenced today to 87 months in federal prison today for extortion and tax evasion for accepting bribe payments and free home renovations from contractors in exchange for contracts. AUSAs Brian Howe and Hope Olds, 973-645-2853 and 2764, respectively.

12-09-08 -- NEWARK -- A Bergen County man was indicted today and charged with violating a court order and stealing approximately $335,000 in gold coins and obstruction of justice. AUSA Deborah J. Gannett, 973-645-2781.

12-09-08 -- NEWARK -- A South Orange woman pleaded guilty yesterday to a conspiracy to obtain tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service based on fraudulent income tax returns, admitting that for two years she and her co-conspirators illegally obtained nearly $200,000 in tax refunds. AUSA Scott B. McBride, 973-645-2708.

12-08-08 -- NEWARK -- Former Paterson Board of Education member Chauncey I. Brown, III pleaded guilty today to attempted extortion, admitting that he accepted bribes from an insurance brokerage company in return for his official assistance in attempting to steer public contracts to the company. AUSA Christopher Gramiccioni, 973-297-2067.

12-08-08 -- NEWARK -- The final principal member of the so-called "Route 35 Crew" pleaded guilty today to committing 11 armed bank robberies, a home evasion robbery and two other robberies between August 2006 and August 2007. AUSAs Joseph Mack and Scott McBride, 973-645-2824.

12-05-08 -- NEWARK -- A West New York man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and to tax evasion, admitting he joined a scheme to embezzle more than $1.1 million from his employer by creating fake temporary employees and pocketing their paychecks. AUSA Scott McBride, 973-645-2708.

12-04-08 -- NEWARK -- A suspended detective-sergeant of the Passaic County Sheriff's Department who was also a former Haledon Borough council member pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute significant quantities of cocaine that he had stolen from the evidence vault at the Sheriff's Department. Contact: Michael Drewniak, Public Affairs Officer, 973-645-2888.

12-03-08 -- NEWARK -- A Palisades Park man was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for orchestrating a bank fraud scheme involving millions of dollars of fraudulent home equity and business lines of credit. AUSA Bradley A. Harsch, 973-645-2734.

12-01-08 -- NEWARK -- With his resignation effective at 11:59 p.m. today, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie gave his final farewells to staff this afternoon. Ralph J. Marra, a veteran federal prosecutor and Christie's top aide, was approved last week by Attorney General Michael Mukasey to become the Acting U.S. Attorney beginning tomorrow.

12-01-08 -- NEWARK -- A former deputy director of the Section 8 Housing Program for the City of Paterson was sentenced today to 37 months in federal prison for taking bribes in return for helping obtain prompt and trouble-free building inspections and steering Section 8-eligible tenants to certain properties. Contact: Michael Drewniak, Public Affairs Officer, 973-645-2888.

11-24-08 -- NEWARK -- Law enforcement personnel in three states arrested four men this morning who are charged with engaging in an international conspiracy to deplete millions of dollars from U.S. victims' home equity lines of credit using personal information obtained through identity theft and unauthorized computer access. AUSAs Erez Liebermann and Seth Kosto, 973-645-2874 and 973-645-2737.

11-24-08 -- NEWARK -- The former Chief of Staff to the Newark City Council President pleaded guilty today in the middle of his trial and admitted that he accepted cash bribes totatling $10,000 in exchange for his influence with public officials in Newark, Irvington and elsewhere to steer insurance brokerage business to an undercover FBI company. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.

11-21-08 -- TRENTON -- A New York man was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison today for his role of a million-dollar automobile insurance fraud and money laundering scheme. AUSA Eric M. Schweiker, 609-989-0566.

11-20-08 -- TRENTON -- The owner of a defunct Stafford Township payroll services company pleaded guilty today to embezzling $1.8 million in FICA taxes that client companies owed to the IRS and converted that money to his own use. AUSA Peter N. Katz, 609-989-0565.

11-20-08 -- NEWARK -- A former employee of the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services ("DYFS"), was arrested today and appeared in federal court on charges that he conspired with his live-in girlfriend to pass forged U.S. Treasury checks issued in the names of individuals served by DYFS. AUSA Thomas R. Calcagni, 973-645-2918.

11-19-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Jamaican man pleaded guilty today for his leadership role in a group that ran a bi-coastal marijuana trafficking and money laundering ring that originated in California and expanded in to at least six other states. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.

11-18-08 -- TRENTON -- A jury today convicted former New Jersey State Sen. Wayne R. Bryant on all corruption charges against him for unlawfully using his power and influence to obtain a paid, low-show job at UMDNJ's School of Osteopathic Medicine in exchange for lobbying and bringing millions of dollars in extra funding to the school, and using that job and others to fraudulently nearly triple his state pension. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PAO, 856-757-5233.

11-17-08 -- U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie, who took office in January 2002, today announced his intention to resign effective Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m. Christie was making his announcement to the entire staff of the U.S. Attorney’s Office at a meeting in the Rodino Federal Building in Newark at 11 a.m. Attached is a two-page letter dated today from Christie to the Attorney General of the United States Michael Mukasey.

11-14-08 -- NEWARK -- A former business agent of Local 89 of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers of the United States and Canada was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison for embezzling approximately $829,000 from Local 89 and one of its employee benefit funds. AUSA Leslie F. Schwartz, 973-645-3986.

11-13-08 -- NEWARK -- A Freehold mortgage broker was sentenced to 12 months of home confinement as part of a five-year term of probation today for his guilty plea to a charge of bank fraud for submitting fraudulent documents in support of a $367,500 residential mortgage loan application. AUSA Thomas J. Eicher, 609-989-0569.

11-12-08 -- NEWARK -- One of the principal members of the so-called "Route 35 Crew" was named today in a 28-count Superseding Indictment charging him with crimes in connection with 14 robberies committed between August 2006 and November 2007. AUSAs Scott B. McBride and Joseph G. Mack, 973-645-2708 and 2824, respectively.

11-06-08 -- NEWARK -- A husband and wife from Middlesex County who operated a tax preparation business pleaded guilty today to participating in a scheme to defraud investors out of nearly $2.5 million and to evading the payment of federal income taxes. AUSA Maureen Nakly, 973-645-2723.

11-03-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Camden man was arrested today on a five-count criminal Complaint for allegedly illegally trafficking in firearms including several SKS assault rifles, which is a version of the Russian AK-47 assault rifle. AUSA Kevin Smith, 856-968-4928.

10-28-08 -- NEWARK -- A New Jersey man pleaded guilty today to three counts of traveling in foreign commerce with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and production and possession of child pornography. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.

10-27-08 -- CAMDEN -- An assistant vice president of loss prevention for the South Jersey Federal Credit Union was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison today for her scheme to defraud the credit union of hundreds of thousands of dollars. AUSA Allen Harberg, Jr., 856-757-5231.

10-24-08 -- NEWARK -- Former Guttenberg Mayor David Delle Donna and his wife, a former Planning Board member, were each sentenced to 51 months in federal prison today for their convictions on charges of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right and income tax fraud. Contact: Michael Drewniak, Public Affairs Officer, 973-645-2888.

10-24-08 -- CAMDEN -- Former Pleasantville Board of Education member James T. McCormick was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison today for accepting two bribes totaling $4,500 from an insurance brokerage in return for his official assistance in steering public contracts to the company. AUSAs Christopher J. Gramiccioni and Jenny R. Kramer, 973-297-2067 and 973-645-2793.

10-21-08 -- NEWARK -- Former New Jersey Assemblyman and Orange Mayor Mims Hackett, Jr. was sentenced today to nine months in federal prison and nine months of home confinement for accepting a bribe from a cooperating witness who was representing an undercover insurance brokerage company in exchange for Hackett's official assistance in attempting to steer public contracts to the company. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PIO, 856-757-5233.

10-21-08 -- NEWARK -- Three members of a mortgage fraud and property-flipping scheme involving more than $4 million worth of investment properties primarily in Essex and Passaic Counties were arrested today on a federal Indictment that was unsealed following the early morning arrests. AUSA Lisa Rose, 973-645-2869.

10-17-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Vineland man was sentenced to the statutory maximum prison sentence of 60 months today for his scheme to trade cocaine for firearms while he was under indictment by the State of New Jersey. AUSA Matthew Skahill, 856-968-4929.

10-16-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Parsippany-Troy Hills housing inspector was sentenced to one month in federal prison and six months of home confinement today for accepting $5,000 in bribes from a general contractor, who was cooperating in a corruption investigation, in exchange for the inspector's agreement not to inspect or regulate the contractor's work. AUSA Christopher J. Gramiccioni, 973-297-2067.

10-16-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Pennsauken man was sentenced to life in federal prison today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute multiple kilograms of cocaine and crack cocaine. AUSAs Matthew Skahill and Allen Harberg, Jr., 856-968-4929, 856-757-5231, respectively.

10-16-08 -- NEWARK -- The former head of information technology and the former chief financial officer at a Mountainside, N.J. - based company were arrested today on charges that they conspired to bilk the company of approximately $900,000 in a phony and inflated invoice scheme. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PAO, 856-757-5233.

10-16-08 -- TRENTON -- Former Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education member John J. Montefusco, Jr. was sentenced to three years of probation today for willfully filing a false tax return, admitting that he failed to report income of approximately $159,000 on his 2003 federal income tax return. AUSA Christopher J. Gramiccioni, 973-297-2067.

10-16-08 -- NEWARK -- An East Brunswick man was sentenced to 47 months in federal prison today for conspiring to defraud insurance companies of more than $2.5 million through a false medical billing scheme and engaging in tax evasion. AUSA Anthony Moscato, 973-645-2752.

10-14-08 -- NEWARK -- The former treasurer of the Branchburg Republican District Committee pleaded guilty today to a charge of mail fraud for the misappropriation of $10,000 from the committee's bank account. AUSA Mark J. McCarren, 973-645-2867.

10-14-08 -- NEWARK -- A Plainfield man was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison today for the killing of his live-in companion while on vacation in Pakistan, as part of an attempt to benefit from the homicide by collecting assets of the man's estate, including his home, life insurance and retirement savings. AUSA Deborah J. Gannett, 973-645-2781.

10-09-08 -- NEWARK -- A federal court jury yesterday convicted former Asbury Park deputy mayor John J. Hamilton, Jr. on all counts against him in connection with his acceptance of a driveway paving job and a $2,000 cash bribe from a cooperating government witness whom Hamilton believed was involved in construction and demolition work, money laundering, and illegal loansharking. Contact: Michael Drewniak, Public Affairs Officer, 973-645-2888.

10-07-08 -- NEWARK -- The former business manager of Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers pleaded guilty today to embezzling from his union and to taking bribes from contractors. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.

10-07-08 -- NEWARK -- A Livingston man was arrested today at his residence and charged with conspiracy for defrauding investors of more than $800,000 in an investment scheme, and for committing a decade-long Social Security fraud. AUSA Robert Kirsch, 973-645-2846.

10-03-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Washington Township, Gloucester County, doctor pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information that charges him with distribution, possession with intent to distribute and dispensing oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. AUSAs Matthew Skahill and Matthew Smith, 856-968-4929, 856-757-5104, respectively.

10-02-08 -- NEWARK -- A priest traveling from Poland to the United States in July pleaded guilty today to a felony charge of abusive sexual contact for fondling a 16-year-old girl aboard a flight to Newark Liberty International Airport. Contact: Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.

09-29-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Pleasantville man was convicted by a federal jury today for transporting minor females from Allentown, Pa., to the Atlantic City vicinity for the purpose of having them engage in prostitution. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.

09-23-08 -- NEWARK -- A paralegal for a New Jersey attorney who conducted real estate closings in connection with a fraudulent scheme involving NJ Affordable Homes, Corp. (NJAH), a purported real estate investment company, pleaded guilty today to falsifying loan documents which were submitted to a mortgage company for a loan insured by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. AUSA Robert Kirsch, 973-645-2846.

09-23-08 -- NEWARK -- The owners of a Newark-based medical business which provided medical services to the elderly pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program of more than $100,000. AUSA Robert Kirsch, 973-645-2846.

09-22-08 -- NEWARK -- The founding member of the Schoor DePalma civil engineering company pleaded guilty today and admitted paying $15,000 to the former mayor of Ocean Township and the chairman of the local sewerage authority for their support of contracts with the engineering firm. Contact: Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.

09-19-08 -- NEWARK -- The U.S. Attorney's Office has reached a $100,000 settlement with a private-practice pharmacist over claims that he committed numerous violations of the Controlled Substances Act ("CSA"). Contact: Michael Drewniak, Public Affairs Officer, 973-645-2888.

09-18-08 -- NEWARK -- A federal grand jury today indicted the owner of a Morris Plains real estate development company for allegedly making bribes and corrupt payments to a former Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board attorney in return for official favors and assistance in connection with matters involving the Planning Board. Contact: Michael Drewniak, Public Affairs Officer, 973-645-2888.

09-17-08 -- NEWARK -- City of Passaic Councilman Gerardo Fernandez was arrested today on an Indictment charging him with perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with false testimony allegedly given during a grand jury investigation involving Passaic corruption. Contact: Michael Drewniak, Public Affairs Officer, 973-645-2888.

09-16-08 -- NEWARK -- The former president of Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for conspiring with others to demand and receive labor bribes totaling approximately $112,000 from construction contractors and tax evasion. AUSA Anthony Moscato, 973-645-2752.

09-11-08 -- NEWARK -- A New Jersey-based defense contractor was sentenced today to five years of probation, fined the maximum amount of $500,000 and ordered to pay $7.9 million in restitution to the United States. AUSA Anthony Moscato, 973-645-2752.

09-09-08 -- NEWARK -- Former Bergenfield Borough Attorney and Counsel to the Bergen County Democratic Organization ("BCDO") Dennis Oury and BCDO Chairman Joseph Ferriero were charged today in a eight-count Indictment with conspiring to defraud the Borough of Bergenfield of Oury's honest services and using the mails in furtherance of that scheme. Contact: Michael Drewniak, Public Affairs Officer, 973-645-2888.

09-09-08 -- NEWARK -- A Sayreville man pleaded guilty today to operating a steroid manufacturing operation out of his home, and to the illegal possession of two firearms. AUSA Robert Kirsch, 973-645-2846.

09-04-08 -- NEWARK -- Herman Friedman, 48, of Union City, surrendered to the FBI this morning on a criminal Complaint accusing him of bribing a construction code official in West New York. AUSA Bradley A. Harsch, 973-645-2734.

09-04-08 -- NEWARK -- A former Post Office operations manager for the U.S. Postal Service was sentenced today to 33 months in federal prison for conspiring to defraud the United States through bribery and fraud. AUSA Joyce M. Malliet, 973-645-2700.

08-26-08 -- NEWARK -- An associate of the so-called "Route 35 Crew," which was responsible for a series of bank robberies and other robberies from August 2006 through November 2007, pleaded guilty today to a conspiracy to commit a home invasion robbery in Allentown, PA., and to rob a courier on his way to make a large deposit at a Commerce Bank in Cranford, NJ. AUSAs Scott B. McBride and Joseph G. Mack, 973-645-2708 and 2824, respectively.

08-22-08 -- NEWARK -- The U.S. Attorney's Office has reached a civil settlement with a psychologist who practices in Monmouth and Ocean counties in connection with claims that he unlawfully and fraudulently billed Medicare for more than $400,000. Contact: Michael Drewniak, Public Affairs Officer, 973-645-2888.

08-19-08 -- CAMDEN -- A former New Brunswick official serving a federal prison sentence for accepting more than $30,000 in bribes pleaded guilty today to attempting to hire a hit man to murder his wife. AUSAs Hallie Mitchell and Brian R. Howe, 973-645-3989 and 2853, respectively.

08-18-08 -- TRENTON -- An architect/attorney who represented various agencies of the Township of West New York pleaded guilty today to making false and misleading statements to Special Agents of the FBI, who were investigating whether he had made corrupt payments to local public officials in Hudson County in exchange for official favors. AUSA Brian R. Howe, 973-645-2853.

08-15-08 -- TRENTON -- Former Passaic Mayor Samuel "Sammy" Rivera was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison today for engaging in an extortion scheme in which he accepted a bride in return for his official assistance in attempting to steer public contracts to an FBI undercover company. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, Public Information Officer, 856-757-5233.

08-14-08 -- NEWARK -- A former corrections officer at the Federal Correctional Institution at Ft. Dix, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information charging him with distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute anabolic steriods. AUSA Hope S. Olds, 973-645-2764.

08-14-08 -- NEWARK -- A former deputy director of the Section 8 Housing Program for the City of Paterson pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information charging him with taking bribes in return for helping to obtain prompt and trouble-free building inspections and steering Section 8-eligible tenants to certain properties. Contact: Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.

08-14-08 -- CAMDEN -- An Atlantic City businessman was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison today for illegally transporting U.S. currency that he believed to be drug proceeds to the Dominican Republic. AUSA Howard Wiener, 856-968-4926.

08-14-08 -- NEWARK -- One of the two principal members of the so-called "Route 35 Crew" pleaded guilty today to committing 11 armed bank robberies and two other robberies between 2006 and August 2007. AUSAs Joseph Mack and Scott B. McBride, 973-645-2824 and 2708, respectively.

08-13-08 -- NEWARK -- Four members of a mortgage fraud and property-flipping scheme involving rental properties in Paterson were named in a 25-count Indictment unsealed today following the arrest of one of the suspects and the surrender of another. Contact: Michael Drewniak, Public Affairs Officer, 973-645-2888.

08-13-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Cumberland County cocaine wholesale supplier was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison today for his conviction on charges in connection with the distribution of kilogram quantities of cocaine to street level drug trafficking networks that were responsible for the distribution of large quantities of powder cocaine and crack cocaine in the Bridgeton area. AUSAs Diana V. Carrig and Matthew Skahill, 856-968-4927 and 4929, respectively.

08-12-08 -- NEWARK -- A Clifton woman who raised in excess of $10 million from hundreds of investors in connection with purported real estate investments was arrested today and charged with operating a Ponzi scheme. AUSA Justin W. Arnold, 973-645-2785.

08-11-08 -- NEWARK -- An associate of the so-called "Route 35 Crew," which was responsible for a series of bank robberies and other robberies from August 2006 through November 2007, pleaded guilty today to committing a home invasion robbery in Allentown, Pa.. AUSAs Scott B. McBride and Joseph Mack, 973-645-2708, 2824, respectively.

08-08-08 -- CAMDEN -- Former Pleasantville Board of Education president James A. Pressley and former board member Rafael Velez were sentenced today to prison terms of 24 months and 37 months, respectively, for accepting bribes in return for their official assistance in steering public insurance and roofing contracts. AUSAs David A. Bocian and Christopher J. Gramiccioni, 609-989-2399 and 973-297-2067, respectively.

08-04-08 -- CAMDEN -- An Egg Harbor man was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison today for his leadership role in a string of southern New Jersey bank burglaries that he committed with his two brothers. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.

08-01-08 -- CAMDEN -- Four contractors who paid bribes to officials from the New Brunswick Department of Community Planning and Economic Development were sentenced today to prison terms. AUSA Brian R. Howe, 973-645-2853.

07-31-08 -- TRENTON -- A Construction Code Official for the Township of West New York, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today to extorting and accepting more than $30,000 in corrupt cash payments, as well as other benefits, in exchange for official AUSA Brian R. Howe, 973-645-2853.

07-29-08 -- NEWARK -- Former Newark mayor Sharpe James was sentenced today to 27 months in federal prison and fined $100,000 for his corruption convictions related to a scheme that enabled his girlfriend, Tamika Riley, to fraudently obtain steeply discounted city-owned land and resell it for hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits. PAO Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888

07-24-08 -- NEWARK -- A former mayor of Atlantic City was sentenced to three years of probation today for defrauding the United States Department of Veterans Affairs of approximately $25,000 in benefits.

07-23-08 -- NEWARK -- Eight members of a Newark-based "smash-and-grab" jewelry store robbery ring, which targeted jewelry stores in shopping malls in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida and Georgia, were named in a 10-count Indictment unsealed today with the arrests of two of the suspects. AUSA Scott McBride, 973-645-2708.

07-22-08 -- NEWARK -- A leader of a major Camden cocaine distribution network was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute more than 150 kilos of cocaine. AUSA Howard Wiener, 856-968-4926.

07-21-08 -- TRENTON -- A Dover Township man was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison today on one count of tax evasion for not reporting approximately $481,402 in income for tax year 2002. AUSA John J. Hoffman, 609-989-0579.

07-21-08 -- TRENTON -- A former Staten Island, N.Y., dentist, who maintained an office in Berlin Township, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today for operatin a scheme in whiche he fradulently obtained approximately $2.76 million in mortgage loans, and spent the proceeds on luxury items including the purchase of a 46-foot yacht, a North Carolina residence and a GMC Yukon Denali.

07-21-08 -- TRENTON -- A Flemington man who pleaded guilty to robbing the Yardville National Bank in Ringoes last July was sentenced today to 51 months in federal prison. PAO, Mike Drewniak, 973-645-2888.

07-18-08 -- CAMDEN -- The leader of a drug trafficking network that was responsible for the distribution of large quantitites of cocaine in the Cumberland County area was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today for his role in the drug conspiracy. PAO, Greg Reinert, 856-757-5233.

07-17-08 -- NEWARK -- A priest traveling from Poland to the United State on July 5 was indicted today on a charge of abusive sexual contact for allegedly fondling a 16-year old girl aboard a flight to Newark Liberty International Airport. PAO Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888

07-17-08 -- CAMDEN -- The owner/operator of a Williamstown tax preparation business was convicted by a federal jury today for defrauding the IRS through the preparation of false individual income tax returns for his clinets and filing false corporate tax returns for companies he controlled. AUSA Matthew T. Smith, 856-757-5104 and AUSA Ronald Chillemi, 856-757-5232

07-17-08 -- NEWARK -- A Montclair woman and a former resident of Fort Lee were each sentenced to long fedearl prison terms today for their roles in orchestrating a mortgage fraud scheme to defraud Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB and Commerce Bank of more than $14 million. AUSA Donna Gallucio, 973-645-2786 and AUSA Jenny Kramer, 973-645-2793

07-11-08 -- NEWARK -- A federal jury today convicted the former owner of Maximus Financial Group, an investment firm operating out of Bayonne, on all counts for his role in a scheme to defraud over 70 victims of approxamately $2 million. PAO Michael Drewniak, 927-645-2888

07-07-08 -- NEWARK -- A former lead engineer of Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers pleaded guilty to taking bribes from two contractors at two construction projects. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752

07-01-08 -- NEWARK -- The former CEO and the former president of a private New Jersey company were each sentenced to federal prison today for their roles in a conspiracy to defraud dozens of investors of more than $5 million. AUSA Robert Kirsh, 973-645-2846.

06-27-08 -- NEWARK -- The U.S. Attorney's Office has entered into a settlement for approximately $1.4 Million with Bakul Desai, a private-practice cardiologist, for taking a salary from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey while improperly referring cardiac patients. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.

06-27-08 -- CAMDEN -- An assistant vice president of loss prevention for the South Jersey Federal Credit Union pleaded guilty today for her scheme to defraud the credit union of up to $400,000. AUSA Allen Harberg, Jr., 856-757-5231.

06-26-08 -- NEWARK -- A Superseding Indictment was returned yesterday against the former business manager of Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, his father, and a contractor. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2885.

06-23-08 -- CAMDEN -- The president and CEO of All Freight Logistics, Inc., pleaded guilty today to mail fraud and money laundering charges in connection with his Ponzi scheme to defraud investors of millions of dollars through the offering of exorbitant rates of return. Contact Greg Reinert, PAO, 856-757-5233.

06-23-08 -- NEWARK -- A former director of Samsung America, Inc.'s Korea Export Department pleaded guilty today in connection with his scheme to embezzle more than $1 million from Samsung America from 2002 through 2007. Contact Justin W. Arnold, 973-645-2785

06-20-08 -- TRENTON -- A New York mortgage broker pleaded guilty today for his role in a mortgage fraud scheme that defrauded mortgage lenders of approximately $770,000 in loans. AUSA Eugenia A.P. Cowles, 609-989-2354.

06-19-08 -- NEWARK -- The United States and the company formerly known as Cendant Corp. today filed suit against former Cendant Chairman Walter A. Forbes, two trusts and other individuals and entities to recover at least $22 million in cash, securities and real estate that are alleged to have been fraudulently transferred to avoid creditors and a $3.2 billion restitution order. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.

06-19-08 -- NEWARK -- In a case involving illegal discharges of oily waste from an ocean-going vessel that entered Port Newark in June 2006, a federal judge in Newark accepted a plea agreement today between the government and Clipper Marine Services A/S, a Danish company. AUSA Bradley A. Harsch, 973-645-2734.

06-19-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Philadelphia man was sentenced to 115 years in federal prison today for his conviction on charges in connection with a string of nine bank robberies that were committed at gunpoint. AUSAs Jacqueline Carle 856-968-4867 and James P. Lynch, 856-757-5031.

06-19-08 -- TRENTON -- A former member of the Union City Board of Adjustment pleaded guilty today to accepting more than $20,000 in corrupt cash payments from a contractor in exchange for the promise of official favors. AUSA Brian R. Howe, 973-645-2853.

06-17-08 -- CAMDEN -- A former Postmaster at the U.S. Post Office in Absecon was sentenced to five months in federal prison and five months of home confinement today for making false entries and reports of moneys or securities in connection with his scheme to deceive the U.S. Postal Service. AUSA Matthew Skahill, 856-968-4929.

06-16-08 -- TRENTON -- A former business agent of Local 89 of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers of the United States and Canada pleaded guilty today to embezzling approximately $829,000 from Local 89 and one of its employee benefit funds. AUSA Leslie Schwartz, 973-645-3986.

06-12-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Washington Township, Gloucester County, doctor was arrested yesterday on a one-count criminal complaint charging him with distribution, possession with intent to distribute and dispensing oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. AUSAs Matthew Skahill 856-968-4929 and Matthew Smith, 856-757-5104.

06-10-08 -- NEWARK -- The former president and founder of NJ Affordable Homes, Corp., a purported New Jersey real estate investment company which bought, renovated and sold properties, was arrested today and charged with masterminding a scheme which defrauded investors and mortgage lenders of approximately $75 million. AUSAs Justin W. Arnold and Robert Kirsch, 973-645-2785 and 2846, respectively.

06-09-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Wall Township convenience store owner pleaded guilty today to aiding a business partner in an attempt to pay a bribe to a U.S. Department of State employee in exchange for a mulitple entry visa for a citizen of India. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.

06-06-08 -- NEWARK -- A Marlboro Township real estate partner was sentenced today to a year in federal prison for bribing a sewer authority official with thousands of dollars in architectural drawings to gain favor in getting sewerage service to projects in Marlboro Township. AUSA Judith H. Germano, 973-645-2885.

06-06-08 -- TRENTON -- One of the leaders of a major Camden drug-trafficking organization known as the "M.O.B. Boys" was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison today for his role in a drug conspiracy that was responsible for the distribution of multiple kilogram quantities of powder cocaine and large quantitites of crack cocaine through the group's street drug sets and other Camden area drug dealers. AUSA Kevin Smith, 856-968-4928.

06-05-08 -- NEWARK -- Monmouth County attorney and developer Bernard Meiterman was sentenced today to two years in federal prison for bribing a sewer authority official with thousands of dollars in architectural drawings to gain favor in getting sewerage service to projects in Marlboro Township. AUSA Judith H. Germano, 973-645-2885.

06-05-08 -- NEWARK -- A 22 year-old Wisconsin man was sentenced today to six months in federal prison for conveying a terrorism hoax in his repeated posting of an Internet message claiming that terrorists would detonate radioactive "dirty bombs" at football stadiums in seven states, including New Jersey. Contact Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.

06-04-08 -- NEWARK -- A former housing inspector for the City of Paterson was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison for committing extortion under color of official right by accepting bribes in exchange for exercising official action. AUSA Hope S. Olds, 973-645-2764.

06-03-08 -- NEWARK -- The former second-in-command at the Kushner Companies was convicted by a federal jury today of conspiring to defraud the United States and aiding and assisting in the filing of false tax returns. AUSAs Thomas J. Eicher, 609-989-0569 and Rachael A. Honig, 973-645-2777, respectively.

05-28-08 -- NEWARK -- The developer of a Morris County condominium community pleaded guilty today to evading corporate income taxes and has agreed to pay federal back taxes, penalties and interest of approximately $17 million. Contact Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.

05-27-08 -- NEWARK -- Former New Jersey Assemblyman and Orange Mayor Mims Hackett, Jr. pleaded guilty today to attempted extortion, admitting that he accepted a bribe from a cooperating witness who was representing an undercover insurance brokerage company in exchange for Hackett's official assistance in steering public contracts to the company. Contact Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.

05-23-08 -- CAMDEN -- A senior vice president of Wachovia Securities Investment Services Group was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison today on a charge of bank larcency for taking approximately $193,600 from client accounts. AUSA Ronald Chillemi, 856-757-5232.

05-23-08 -- NEWARK -- The former president of Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers pleaded guilty today to conspiring with others ot demand and receive labor bribes totaling approximately $112,000 from construction contractors and tax evasion. AUSA Anthony Moscato, 973-645-2752.

05-22-08 -- CAMDEN -- A former Commerce Bank branch manager was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison today for stealing approximately $829,000 from customer accounts over more than five years. AUSA Ronald Chillemi, 856-757-5232.

05-21-08 -- NEWARK -- A federal grand jury indicted the owner of an Elizabeth construction business today for allegedly paying bribes to a former Linden housing official in return for contracts valued at approximately $652,448. AUSAs Adam S. Lurie and Richard E. Constable, III, 973-645-2749 and 2719, respectively.

05-19-08 -- NEWARK -- A Parsippany-Troy Hills housing inspector admitted in federal court today that he accepted $5,000 in bribes from a general contractor, who was cooperating in a corruption investigation, in exchange for the inspector's agreement not to inspect or regulate the contractor's work. AUSA Christopher J. Gramiccioni, 973-297-2067.

05-14-08 -- NEWARK -- An Essex County man was sentenced today to six years in federal prison for filing fraudulent tax returns on behalf of numerous New Jersey residents resulting in a loss to the government in excess of $2.5 million. AUSAs Erez Liebermann and Mark Coyne, 973-645-2874 and 973-297-2002, respectively.

05-14-08 -- NEWARK -- A Jersey City man who was convicted after a jury trial of possessing an unregistered short-barreled shotgun was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison. AUSA Joseph Mack, 973-645-2824.

05-13-08 -- NEWARK -- A Florida man was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison for his role in a scheme to defraud dozens of investors of a private company of more than $5 million. AUSA Robert Kirsch, 973-645-2846.

05-12-08 -- NEWARK -- The U.S. Attorney's Office today dismissed remaining fraud charges against former Newark Mayor Sharpe James, who last month was convicted on all counts against him in a corrupt scheme to steer city-owned land to his mistress. Contact Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.

05-12-08 -- NEWARK -- A Tucson, Ariz. cocaine supplier was sentenced to 26 years in federal prison today on a charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. AUSA Sharon Ashe, 973-645-2743.

05-09-08 -- TRENTON -- Passaic Mayor Samuel "Sammy" Rivera pleaded guilty today to attempted extortion, admitting that he accepted a bribe from a government cooperating witness who was representing an undercover insurance brokerage company in return for his official assistance in steering public contracts to the undercover company. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.

05-08-08 -- NEWARK -- One of the Gambino Crime Family's highest-ranking members in New Jersey, and 22 other made members and associates, including a made member of the Lucchese Crime Family, were named in a racketeering Indictment - 10 were arrested this morning - charging them with running an enterprise that engaged in illegal gambling, extortion, fraud schemes and labor racketeering. Contact Sean Quinn, Special Agent, FBI, 973-792-3020 and Michael Drewniak, U.S. Attorney's Office, 973-645-2888.

05-07-08 -- CAMDEN --The owner/operator of a Williamstown tax preparation business was indicted today for allegedly defrauding the IRS through the preparation of false individual income tax returns for his clients and filing false corporate tax returns for companies he controlled. AUSAs Matthew T. Smith and Joshua W. Drew, 856-757-5104 and 856-968-4925, respectively

05-07-08 -- CAMDEN -- The leader of a Camden street corner drug set pleaded guilty today to his involvement in a drug conspiracy that peddled powder and crack cocaine and to protecting his drug set operations through the use of threats and violence, including the murder of one of his suppliers during a disagreement over the quality of crack cocaine. AUSAs Jason Richardson and Sandra Moser, 856-968-4869 and 973-2729, respectively.

05-07-08 -- NEWARK -- A former associate vice president at Stevens Institute of Technology pleaded guilty today to embezzling approximately $264,000 from the U.S. Department of Education's Upward Bound program and other programs designed to assist disadvantaged inner-city New Jersey youth by preparing them for college admission. AUSAs Bradley A. Harsch and Robert A. Kirsch, 973-645-2734 and 2846, respectively.

05-07-08 -- NEWARK -- The U.S. Attorney's Office has entered into settlements totaling approximately $387,000 with four cardiologists to recover salaries imporperly received from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.

05-06-08 -- NEWARK -- The alleged ringleader in a $20 million home equity line of credit fraud scheme was arrested last evening as he was taking swings at the Alley Pond Golf Center in Queens, NY. AUSA Bradley A. Harsch, 973-645-2734.

The defendant, Jacob Kim, is scheduled to make an initial appearance in federal court in Newark at 2:30 today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Shipp.

05-05-08 -- NEWARK -- A former business agent of Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers pleaded guilty today to taking a bribe from a contractor in exchange for permitting the contractor to use non-union labor. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.

05-02-08 -- TRENTON -- A Vineland heroin supplier who provided extensive assistance to federal investigators was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison today on a charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. AUSA Diana V. Carrig, 856-968-4927.

04-30-08 -- NEWARK -- The former director of housing rehabilitation for the City of New Brunswick pleaded guilty today to extortion and tax evasion for accepting bribe payments and free home renovations from contractors in exchange for contracts. AUSAs Brian R. Howe and Hope S. Olds, 973-645-2853 and 2764, respectively.

04-29-08 -- CAMDEN -- The owner/operator of an Atlantic City tax preparation business and an employee were indicted today for allegedly defrauding the IRS through the preparation of false individual income tax returns for their clients. DOJ Tax Division Trial Attorneys, Shawn Noud and Mark Daly, 202-353-9215.

04-29-08 -- NEWARK -- A federal jury today convicted Guttenberg mayor David Delle Donna and his wife, a former Planning Board member, of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right and income tax fraud. Contact Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.

04-24-08 -- TRENTON -- The owner of a Newark construction business pleaded guilty today to paying bribes to a former Linden housing official in return for contracts valued at approximately $1.57 million. AUSAs Adam S. Lurie and Richard E. Constable III, 973-645-2700.

04-23-08 -- CAMDEN -- A former Pennsauken Police Officer was sentenced to 170 months in federal prison today for his guilty plea to charges of transportation and shipment of child pornography over the Internet. AUSA Howard Wiener, 856-968-4926.

04-22-08 -- TRENTON -- A Trenton cocaine dealer was sentenced today to 188 months in federal prison for distribution and possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and for being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. AUSA Patrick C. Askin, 609-989-2020.

04-22-08 -- NEWARK -- In its continuing prosecution of fraudulent contracts at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, the U.S. Attorney's Office filed a lawsuit today against a private-practice cardiologist to recover $210,000 in damages for taking salary from the University while improperly referring cardiac patients. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.

04-17-08 -- NEWARK -- The U.S. Attorney's Office has filed a lawsuit against a private-practice cardiologist to recover $357,000 in damages for taking salary from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey while improperly referring cardiac patients. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.

04-16-08 -- NEWARK -- A jury today convicted former Newark mayor Sharpe James on all corruption charges against him in connection with a scheme that enabled his girlfriend, Tamika Riley, to fraudulently obtain steeply discounted city-owned land and resell it for hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.

04-15-08 -- TRENTON -- The second of a pair of bank robbers who robbed or attempted to rob three banks in Union and Hunterdon counties in April and July 2007 pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Joel A. Pisano. AUSA Joseph Mack, 973-645-2824.

04-07-08 -- NEWARK -- The former chief financial officer of defunct cheese manufacturer Suprema Specialties, Inc. was sentenced today to eight years in prison for his conviction on charges of conspiracy, bank fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud and making false statements to the Securities and Exchange Commission. AUSAs John M. Fietkiewicz and Eric H. Jaso, 973-645-2780 and 2871, respectively.

04-03-08 -- NEWARK -- A third Continental Airlines employee based at Newark Liberty International Airport was charged today in connection with an International conspiracy to distribute heroin. AUSA Dennis C. Carletta, 973-645-2767.

04-03-08 -- NEWARK -- A former New Brunswick official serving a federal prison sentence for accepting more than $30,000 in bribes was charged today with attempting to hire a hit man to murder his wife. AUSAs Brian R. Howe and Hallie Mitchell, 973-645-2853 and 3989, respectively.

04-02-08 -- TRENTON -- A Holmdel man pleaded guilty today to one count of tax evasion for not reporting a total of approximately $740,585 in income for tax years 2003, 2004 and 2005. AUSA Eugenia A. P. Cowles, 609-989-2354.

03-31-08 -- CAMDEN -- Agron Abdullahu was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison today for conspiring to provide firearms and ammunition to illegal aliens who allegedly plotted to kill U.S. soldiers at various installations, including the Fort Dix Army base in New Jersey. Contact J. Gregory Reinert, PIO, 856-757-5233.

03-26-08 -- NEWARK -- A former business agent of Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers pleaded guilty today to taking bribes from a variety of contractors in exchange permitting the contractors to avoid employing and paying the union's members. The defendant also implicated other Local 825 officers who were indicted earlier this month. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.

03-25-08 -- NEWARK -- An Indictment was returned today against a former employee of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, charging him with conspiracy and money laundering for a series of transactions involving what he believed were the proceeds of loansharking. AUSA Mark McCarren, 973-645-2867.

03-19-08 -- CAMDEN -- An Oxon Hill, Md., man pleaded guilty today for his role in a wire fraud and money laundering scheme that involved misdirecting approximately $2 million in wire transfers from Cendant Mortgage Corporation to a Florida title agency. AUSA Ronald Chillemi, 856-757-5232.

03-19-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Denver, Colorado securities attorney was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison today for his role in two intricate stock fraud and money laundering schemes, one of which cost public investors more than $15 million in losses. AUSA Deborah Prisinzano Mikkelsen, 856-757-5152.

03-19-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Cherry Hill man was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison today on one count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering for traveling to Philadelphia to threaten a man who he believed owed an illegal sports gambling debt. AUSA Steven D'Aguanno, 856-757-5011.

03-19-08 -- CAMDEN -- Two Delaware Valley men were convicted by a federal jury today for committing a string of nine bank robberies that were committed at gunpoint. AUSAs Jacqueline Carle and James P. Lynch, 856-968-4867 and 856-757-5031.

03-19-08 -- TRENTON -- A North Bergen man pleaded guilty today to defrauding the United States Small Business Administration and defaulting on a $250,000 Small Business Administration loan. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.

03-19-08 -- NEWARK -- A Pennsylvania man formerly of New Jersey was arraigned today in connection with a conspiracy to steal United States treasury checks sent via the U.S. Postal Service and intercepted by baggage handlers at Newark Liberty International Airport. AUSA Erez Liebermann, 973-645-2874.

03-18-08 -- NEWARK -- A Bayonne man was indicted today in a 54-count Indictment that charges him with illegally depositing more than $3 million in cash at three banks to avoid detection by authorities. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.

03-18-08 -- NEWARK -- A former New Jersey business owner was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison for failing to report to the IRS more than $1.9 million in income he received as part of a multimillion dollar fraud scheme. AUSA Deborah J. Gannett, 973-645-2781.

03-11-08 -- NEWARK -- International Union of Operating Engineers were arrested today on a four-count Indictment for allegedly taking cash bribes and other things of value from construction contractors to ensure labor peace and to allow the use of non-union labor. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.

03-10-08 -- NEWARK -- The tax preparer on a series of real-estate partnerships controlled by Charles Kushner pleaded guilty today for aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false and fraudulent partnership tax return. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO 973-645-2888.

03-07-08 -- CAMDEN -- The leader and an enforcer of a major cocaine distribution organization were convicted by a federal jury today for their participation in a drug distribution conspiracy and for committing a murder to protect their operations. Contact Greg Reinert, PIO 856-757-5233.

03-07-08 -- NEWARK -- A Newark man was federally indicted today in connection with a series of "smash-and-grab" jewelry store robberies committed at four shopping malls in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. AUSA Scott McBride, 973-645-2708.

03-07-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Member of a cocaine trafficking conspiracy that was responsible for the distribution of large quantities of cocaine in the Cumberland County area was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison today to his role in the conspiracy. AUSA Diana V. Carrig, 856-757-5233.

03-06-08 -- NEWARK -- A Former Social Security Administration employee was indicted today on charges that he used his position to defraud approximately 26 aliens of approximately $103,350 by enticing them with false promises of student visas to study massage therapy. AUSA Bradely A. Harsch, 973-645-2700.

03-04-08 -- TRENTON -- A former Newark Municipal Court clerk was sentenced to 31 months in federal prison today for accepting cash bribes from an undercover agent in exchange for using his official position to sanitize a criminal record to help someone attempting to pass a U.S Department of Homeland Security background check. AUSA Brian R. Howe, 973-645-2853.

03-03-08 -- CAMDEN -- A former securities broker with offices in Cherry Hill, marlton and Ocean City was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison today for his role in an intricate stock fraud and money laundering scheme, a separate extortion scheme, and bankruptcy fraud. AUSA Deborah Prisinzano Mikkelsen, 856-757-5152.

02-28-08 -- NEWARK -- Two private-practice cardiologists pleaded guilty today to embezzlement, admitting that between them they took approximately $840,000 in salary from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey while providing no meaningful services in return to the university, other than referring cardiac patients. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO 973-645-2888

02-27-08 -- CAMDEN -- Former Pleasantville Board of Education member James T. McCormick was convicted by a federal jury today for accepting a $3,500 bribe from an insurance brokerage in return for his official assistance in steering public contracts to the company. AUSAs Christopher J. Gramiccioni and Jenny R. Kramer, 973-297-2067 and 973-645-2793, respectively.

02-26-08 -- NEWARK -- Two bank robbers were each sentenced today to more than 65 years in federal prison for committing three armed and violent bank robberies in 2005. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO 973-645-2888.

02-21-08 -- NEWARK -- An Internal Revenue Service revenue agent was sentenced today in federal court to 34 months in prison for a series of fraud-related charges, including bank fraud, financial structuring, tax evasion, and for preparing fraudulent tax returns for himself and a company he was using to shelter income. AUSAs Thomas R. Calcagni and Robert A. Kirsch, 973-645-2918 abd 973-645-2846, respectively.

02-21-08 -- NEWARK -- Four individuals were arrested on Wednesday on charges of health care fraud that included the participation of medical doctors to further the schemes. AUSA Anthony Moscato, 973-645-2752.

02-20-08 -- NEWARK -- Four New Jersey men, two of whom were arrested, were charged today with conspiring to steal merchandise contained in three different tractor-trailer loads. AUSA Deborah J. Gannett, 973-645-2781.

02-19-08 -- CAMDEN -- An Egg Harbor man pleaded guilty today for his role in a string of southern New Jersey bank burglaries that he committed with his two brothers. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.

02-15-08 -- PHILADELPHIA -- A Philadelphia man was sentenced to a total of 300 months in federal prison today for his conviction on charges in connection with his assault and an attempted sexual assault of his defense attorney. AUSAs Debrorah Prisinzano-Mikkelsen and Norman J. Gross, 856-757-5152 and 856-968-4930, respectively.

02-14-08 -- NEWARK -- The head tax partner of an accounting firm involved in a series of real-estate partnerships controlled by Charles Kushner pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud the United States by aiding and assisting the filing of false tax returns. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO 973-645-2888.

02-14-08 -- TRENTON -- The former field representative for the City of Linden's Neighborhood Redevelopment Program pleaded guilty today to accepting over $180,000 in corrupt cash payments and other benefits in exchange for official favors. AUSAs Richard E. Constable, III and Adam S. Lurie, 973-645-2700.

02-13-08 -- TRENTON -- The former Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board attorney pleaded guilty today to mail fraud, admitting that he gave his official assistance to a developer in return for benefits to him and his family that included discounted purchase prices on houses that allowed the family members to quickly resell the properties at substantial profit. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO 973-645-2888.

02-11-08 -- NEWARK -- The former accountant for a series of real estate partnerships controlled by Charles Kushner pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud the United States and to aid and assist the filing of false tax returns. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO 973-645-2888.

02-08-08 -- TRENTON -- A vice president of adult day care centers was sentenced today to 55 months in federal prison for conspiring to defraud Medicaid of approximately $5.5 million by submitting false claims for medical services that were never rendered. AUSAs Maureen Nakly and Camelia M. Valdes, 973-645-2723 and 2730, respectively.

02-07-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Vineland man was arraigned on a federal Indictment today for his scheme to trade cocaine for firearms while he was under indictment by the State of New Jersey. AUSA Matthew Skahill, 856-968-4929.

02-07-08 -- NEWARK -- A Superseding Indictment returned today adds three new tax fraud charges to the corruption Indictment returned in July against the former director of housing rehabilitation for the City of New Brunswick. AUSA Brian R. Howe, 973-645-2853.

02-06-08 -- TRENTON -- A Federal Aviation Administration contractor and former employee of the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic County pleaded guilty today to paying more than $23,000 in bribes to a former FAA employee. AUSAs David A. Bocian and Hope Olds, 609-989-2399 and 943-645-2764, respectively.

01-31-08 -- TRENTON -- A federal grand jury today indicted former City of Passaic Councilman Jonathan Soto on charges of attempted extortion under color of official right and bribery for allegedly accepting $22,000 in exchange for his influence on local government contracts, and for attempting to obtain illegal narcotics. Contact Michael Drewniak, PIO 973-645-2888

01-30-08 -- NEWARK -- U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced today that his office has established a Primary Election Hotline to receive and respond to reports of election irregularites, voter intimidation or any other activities that would interfere with a citizen's right to vote throughout Primary Election Day.

01-29-08 -- TRENTON -- The leader of the "Bounty Hunters" set of the Bloods street gang was sentenced to life in prison today for his convictions on charges for distributing crack cocaine in Trenton. AUSA Patrick C. Askin, 609-989-2020.

01-28-08 -- NEWARK -- A former housing inspector for the City of Paterson pleaded guilty today to extortion under color of official right for accepting bribes in exchange for exercising official action. AUSA Hope S. Olds, 973-645-2764.

01-28-08 -- NEWARK -- An East Brunswick man admitted today in federal court conspiring to defraud insurance companies of more than $2.5 million through a false billing scheme and to engaging in tax evasion. AUSA Anthony Moscato, 973-645-2752.

01-25-08 -- TRENTON -- Two federal inmates - one of them a nephew of the late New York Yankee Babe Ruth - were convicted by a federal jury today for their scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service of approximately $360,000 through the filing of 178 false individual income tax returns which contained fraudulent claims for refunds. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PIO, 856-757-5233.

01-25-08 -- NEWARK -- A former employee of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority was arrested today for allegedly engaging in money laundering transactions involving what he believed to be the proceeds of loansharking. AUSA Mark McCarren, 973-645-2867.

01-24-08 -- CAMDEN -- A 19- year-old Willingboro man was sentenced today to 288 months in federal prison for committing two armed and violent bank robberies, during one of which he discharged a firearm into a car he was attempting to steal. AUSA Matthew Skahill, 856-968-4929.

01-24-08 -- NEWARK -- An owner of a now-defunct driving school in Plainfield was sentenced today to 41 months in federal prison for conspiring for a decade with employees of the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles to produce drivers' licenses in exchange for cash payments. AUSA Brian R. Howe, 973-645-2853.

01-24-08 -- NEWARK -- A Maplewood man was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for a string of bank robberies throughout northern New Jersey, for which he earned the monikers "Hat Bandit" and "Mad Hatter" from the media. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.

01-18-08 -- NEWARK -- A federal jury today convicted a former vice president and director of a New Jersey information technology consulting company on all counts for his role in a scheme to defraud dozens of private investors in the company of more than $5 million. AUSAs Robert Kirsch and Craig Carpenito, 973-645-2846 and 2891, respectively.

01-18-08 -- NEWARK -- A judge formally unsealed a 35-count Indictment today charging 13 individuals in a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $20 million in home equity and business lines of credit between February 2004 and November 2005. Seven more people pleaded guilty today in the scheme, whose victims include at least 16 different lenders in northern New Jersey. AUSA Bradley A. Harsch, 973-645-2734.

01-18-08 -- NEWARK -- One of four men charged in an attempted armed bank robbery last year, during which an FBI Special Agent was shot and killed, pleaded guilty today to his role in that crime and a second armed robbery. He also identified his co-conspirators in those and other armed bank robberies. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.

01-16 08 -- NEWARK -- A federal grand jury today indicted City of Passaic Mayor Samuel Rivera on charges of attempted extortion under color of official right and bribery for allegedly accepting $5,000 in cash in exchange for his influence on local government contracts. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.

01-07-08 -- TRENTON -- A former Asbury Park police officer and his accomplice were sentenced to 24 months and 12 months in prison, respectively, for their convictions on charges in connection with the theft of diamond jewelry during the execution of a fugitive arrest warrant. AUSA John J. Hoffman, 609-989-0579.